Charles Furneaux
Charles Furneaux (1835–1913) was an American landscape and portrait painter, photographer and educator.
Life and career
He was born in 1835, in Boston. For many years he lived in the town of Melrose, Massachusetts. He became a drawing instructor and exhibited in that area.[1]
In 1880, Furneaux moved to the Republic of Hawaii, where he cultivated the friendship of King Kalakaua and other members of the Hawaiian royal family, from whom he later received several commissions.[1] While living in Honolulu he taught at the private schools Punahou and St. Albans (now known as Iolani School). In 1885, he received the order of Chevalier of Kapiolani from King Kalakaua in 'recognition of his services in advancing Hawaiian art'. In later life, he turned from painting to photography.
He was also active in Hawaiian governmental affairs. In 1895, he was listed as a Consular Officer serving as an agent in Hilo for the U.S. government for the Hawaiian Islands.[2]
He died in 1913 in Hawaii.[1]
His reputation is mainly based on the paintings he executed in Hawaii, especially those of erupting volcanoes. He was among those who were part of what is called the "Volcano School".[3]
Works, Collections and Sales
In the late 1880s, he was commissioned in Honolulu by Alexander Joy Cartwright, widely credited as the "father of baseball" and another dear friend of King Kalakaua, to paint the only oil portrait of his 72-year life.
The Bishop Museum (Honolulu), the Lyman Museum (Hilo),[4] the Honolulu Museum of Art,[5] Iolani Palace (Honolulu), and the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum[6] are among the public collections holding Hawaiian landscape works mainly Volcano School by Charles Furneaux.
The auction record for a painting by Charles Furneaux is $17,260. This record was set by Kilauea, a 16 by 24 inch oil painting on canvas sold Oct. 28, 1999 at Christie's (Los Angeles).[7]
References
- Forbes, David W., "Encounters with Paradise: Views of Hawaii and its People, 1778-1941", Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1992, 91-201.
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Who Was who in American Art 1564-1975: 400 Years of Artists in America. Madison (Conn.): Sound View Press. 1999. p. 1217. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Official register of the United States : containing a list of officers and employees in the civil, military, and naval service - 1895 volume 1. General Printing Office. 1895. p. 40. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
- ^ "The Volcano School". National Park Service. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Past Special Exhibits". Lyman Museum. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ "Charles Furneaux". Honolulu Museum of Art. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ "Charles Furneaux, View of Diamond Head". Collections Database. Five Colleges and Historic Deerfield Museum Consortium. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Lot 19: Charles Furneaux (1835-1913) Charles Furneaux (1835-1913) Kilauea". Christie's. Retrieved 6 December 2025.